Traverse City, Michigan
Population 15,702
Traverse City, known as one of the best places to live in Michigan, recently added another accolade to its name by becoming the second city in Michigan to own a public broadband network. This achievement was spearheaded by Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP), a public energy municipality that has been serving the city for over a century. The launch of TCLPfiber marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to ensure that all residents and businesses have access to world-class communications infrastructure.
The vision for TCLPfiber began in 2016 when Traverse City Light & Power set out to create a Smart Grid fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network to enhance the utility’s electrical grid, with an ancillary benefit of offering gigabit broadband internet access. After a series of conversations with private internet service providers failed to bring fiber to the area in the capacity that TCLP needed, the decision to build a municipally owned network became clear. By 2020, the network was up and running, starting with a focus on downtown Traverse City and planning future expansions beyond the city limits. Today, TCLPfiber has more than 800 customers signed up for its services out of the 2,200 potential customers it currently passes.
The benefits of TCLPfiber go beyond just faster internet speeds. The fiber optic network main goal was to enhance the utility’s smart grid capabilities, allowing better monitoring of electricity usage and more efficient load balancing during high-demand periods. TCLPfiber’s scalable technology also ensures that the network can handle increased demand during major tourism events that draw millions of visitors each year.
Offering residential plans starting at $60 per month and commercial plans starting at $99 per month, the network provides affordable, high-speed symmetrical fiber internet access that was previously unavailable in the area. As TCLP continues to grow, there are plans to expand the fiber network beyond its 13,000-plus metered electrical customers, aiming to reach even more homes and businesses in the region.
However, the journey to building a public broadband network wasn’t without its challenges.
Scott Menhart, the Chief Technology and Information Officer for Traverse City Light & Power, played a pivotal role in overcoming numerous construction challenges and well- funded opposition.
“Not only am I a member of the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB), but I believe so heavily in the cause that I was one of the founding members and serve on the Executive Board as the Treasurer,” Menhart shares. His commitment to public broadband was crucial in getting TCLPfiber off the ground, despite facing significant opposition.
“Don’t be fooled by dark money or scare tactics,” Menhart warns, highlighting AAPB’s role as an ally for communities pursuing public broadband. He emphasizes that AAPB is “there to be a bedrock for people to lean on and assist with staying the course.” His efforts in Traverse City have proven successful, with the network poised to expand into a multi-county region.
But for Menhart, the significance of owning a local network goes deeper. “Owning your network -is not about the service, the price, or the technology,” he says. “It’s about keeping things local.” This philosophy underscores the true value of public broadband: empowering communities to control their own digital futures and ensuring that the benefits of connectivity are felt by all.
As TCLPfiber continues to grow and thrive, Traverse City serves as a shining example of what’s possible when a community takes ownership of its broadband infrastructure. With the support of leaders like Scott Menhart and organizations like AAPB, other cities and towns across the country can follow in their footsteps, building networks that deliver not just high-speed internet, but a stronger, more connected community.
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